What are some of your favorite movies that contain a spiritual theme? I'm not talking about religious movies per se, but any movie that you enjoyed because you discerned a spiritual or moral message being portrayed in some way.

Right now I'm watching "Frailty" on TV. I like this movie a lot.

OK. Look forward to reading your responses.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

I'm not a fantasy guy, but many people love the Lord of the Rings movies. I'm sure there's some great Christian allegory much like the Narnia movies. I have watched the two recent Narnia movies with my children, and they really love them. And I also enjoyed watching them along with my kids. So my question is this: Do you think that the Lord of the Rings would be good to watch with my children? They are ages 11, 9, and 4, and very bright kids. Is the movie appropriate as far as language/sexuality and such? Will it be over their heads (maybe my 4 year old), or do you think they will understand it. I would like your opinion, and I would be interested in watching it myself if I could do so with my kids.

Thanks.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

I'm not a fantasy guy, but many people love the Lord of the Rings movies. I'm sure there's some great Christian allegory much like the Narnia movies. I have watched the two recent Narnia movies with my children, and they really love them. And I also enjoyed watching them along with my kids. So my question is this: Do you think that the Lord of the Rings would be good to watch with my children? They are ages 11, 9, and 4, and very bright kids. Is the movie appropriate as far as language/sexuality and such? Will it be over their heads (maybe my 4 year old), or do you think they will understand it. I would like your opinion, and I would be interested in watching it myself if I could do so with my kids.

Thanks.

Selam

Language is practically non-existent in the film, and sexuality doesn't go beyond a kiss between Aragon and Arwen--which is very important to the story. The films earn a PG-13 rating for the scariness of the Ringwraiths and other creatures, and for the two battle scenes. I wouldn't take the four-year-old, but if you think your older kids can handle them, then by all means take them. They're great films, and great stories.

« Last Edit: April 25, 2009, 04:02:47 AM by ytterbiumanalyst »

Logged

"It is remarkable that what we call the world...in what professes to be true...will allow in one man no blemishes, and in another no virtue."--Charles Dickens

LOTR is pretty good, I must admit. But my favorite movie(s) with a spiritual component are the original Star Wars Trilogy. I doubt George Lucas is Orthodox (never read anything about him actually) but I picked up a spiritual tone that seemed of a kind a Greek would thread into his movies' story.

Logged

"Religion is a neurobiological illness and Orthodoxy is its cure." - Fr. John S. Romanides

Language is practically non-existent in the film, and sexuality doesn't go beyond a kiss between Aragon and Arwen--which is very important to the story. The films earn a PG-13 rating for the scariness of the Ringwraiths and other creatures, and for the two battle scenes. I wouldn't take the four-year-old, but if you think your older kids can handle them, then by all means take them. They're great films, and great stories.

Thanks. I think I'll rent it soon and watch it with my youths. I bet they'll love it. Sounds like I'll enjoy it as well.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

LOTR is pretty good, I must admit. But my favorite movie(s) with a spiritual component are the original Star Wars Trilogy. I doubt George Lucas is Orthodox (never read anything about him actually) but I picked up a spiritual tone that seemed of a kind a Greek would thread into his movies' story.

I have heard him speak on the subject. He's not Orthodox, and not particularly religious. He was raised Methodist, but leans toward spirituality somewhere between Methodism and Buddhism these days. The spirituality in his films is intentional, but he does not want to limit it to any one religion. And that's all he had to say about that.

Logged

"It is remarkable that what we call the world...in what professes to be true...will allow in one man no blemishes, and in another no virtue."--Charles Dickens

LOTR is pretty good, I must admit. But my favorite movie(s) with a spiritual component are the original Star Wars Trilogy. I doubt George Lucas is Orthodox (never read anything about him actually) but I picked up a spiritual tone that seemed of a kind a Greek would thread into his movies' story.

Of course I enjoyed the Star Wars movies when they came out when I was a child. But now I think they are too New Age.

But I have often believed that you can despise a particular world view and yet love the creativity with which that world view is expressed. I used to be a big David Lynch fan, even though I completely disagreed with the nihilistic worldview that many of his movie portrayed. But a few years ago David Lynch directed a beautifully simple movie called The Straight Story. The movie was rated G (but not a kids movie) and was excellent. It just goes to show that true creativity is able to transcend darkness and despair and reach for the light.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

LOTR is pretty good, I must admit. But my favorite movie(s) with a spiritual component are the original Star Wars Trilogy. I doubt George Lucas is Orthodox (never read anything about him actually) but I picked up a spiritual tone that seemed of a kind a Greek would thread into his movies' story.

I have heard him speak on the subject. He's not Orthodox, and not particularly religious. He was raised Methodist, but leans toward spirituality somewhere between Methodism and Buddhism these days. The spirituality in his films is intentional, but he does not want to limit it to any one religion. And that's all he had to say about that.

I think it was a little too Yin-Yang dualistic. You know, that there are two equal and opposite universal forces vying with one another- light against darkness, good v. evil, etc. But we know that God is supremely bigger than satan and the forces of evil. Our temporal worldly perspective may lead us to believe otherwise- in fact at times it seems that God is no match for the devil. But the history is already written, and thus we know the final outcome. Christ is Risen, and satan has already been defeated.

But that being said, Star Wars is a brilliantly constructed vehicle through which Lucas portrays a widely held belief system in our day and age.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

I'm not a fantasy guy, but many people love the Lord of the Rings movies. I'm sure there's some great Christian allegory much like the Narnia movies. I have watched the two recent Narnia movies with my children, and they really love them. And I also enjoyed watching them along with my kids. So my question is this: Do you think that the Lord of the Rings would be good to watch with my children? They are ages 11, 9, and 4, and very bright kids. Is the movie appropriate as far as language/sexuality and such? Will it be over their heads (maybe my 4 year old), or do you think they will understand it. I would like your opinion, and I would be interested in watching it myself if I could do so with my kids.

Thanks.

Selam

When the Lord of the Rings movies were first in the theaters, our children were too young to see them in the theater, particularly we decided because having the orcs and ring wraiths on the big screen would be too intense. We had read the books and The Hobbit to the two older ones and they liked it very much, so it wasn't a matter of the story itself. As the movies came out on home video we started by showing them the parts with the Hobbits and the the Shire to the 6 and 9 year old. They loved it, so they got to see more of the movies and since it was on a small screen and at home if it had been too alarming it could be stopped. Our 3 y.o. didn't care and wasn't interested.

While the rating is PG-13, there is no crude language, no nudity, no raw sex or any of the more common things that get a film that rating. There are a few scenes where characters are drinking ale/beer or smoking a pipe. We don't care about that, but some groups are against that sort of thing in movies. There are some battle scenes and some dangerous situations for the characters including a death (heroic in battle in the defense of others) of one of the fellowship and the scenes in Moria with the Balrog (which is very well done imo). The orcs and other servants of Sauron are ugly and could be frightening for some small children. But there are also scenes of great beauty, lovely music and scenery/photography (New Zealand in a starring role). There is a thread of a love story with Aragorn and Arwen and Sam Gamgee loves Rose Cotton back in the shire but there is nothing crude or crass about either.

I hope that helps and if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them.

Ebor

Logged

"I wish they would remember that the charge to Peter was "Feed my sheep", not "Try experiments on my rats", or even "Teach my performing dogs new tricks". - C. S. Lewis

LOTR is a great movie to introduce Christian themes, and I have been working on taking out takes of scenes from the movies to discuss with my older teen youth group, such as:

-The nature and effects of power on people

-The parallels between Smeagol/Deagol and Cain/Abel in the movie.

-Boromir's wrestling with himself, and only understanding the nature of life until he repented (he literally fell flat, and then was brought to his senses). From then he understood it was better for him to give of himself, than to take from others.

It's been interesting enough that I have a group of adults who want to watch the movies and have discussions afterwards. We'll see where that goes, though...sometimes we have troubles actually doing what we want to do.

I really like Ostrog, but maybe that's just me.

But, y'know, you can discuss spiritual themes with Spongebob Squarepants episodes, when you really get down to it! Movies need to have some sort of tension in them, and then you can discuss the spiritual impact of the decisions made by the characters.

Logged

"As the sparrow flees from a hawk, so the man seeking humility flees from an argument". St John Climacus

I might be failing to understand what you mean by "spiritual themes", but I can suggest you the movie I have recently seen: Half-light (starring Demi Moore). If you are interested in horror films, Silent Hill is the first movie I can recommend.

Personally I would read thru the LOTR books before I show the kids the movies. That is what we do with the Narnia books/movies. Then I can tell what is coming up in the story so that if there is a scary part i can fast forward or cover young eyes.

That said all three of my kids have seen all three LOTR movies and they are much younger than yours; 7, 3 and (in-a-month)2.

I really like the Liam Neeson version of Les Miserables but that is not a movie to watch with children since a major plot point at the beginning involves a rather tragic (and complicated to explain to children) death. The death is absolutely essential to the understanding of the story so to leave that part out is a extreme disservice to the story. This is a great book and movie that touches on forgiveness in particular.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119683/

I enjoy Smoke Signals a great deal. There is a lot to glean from it about family relationships, forgiveness, bitterness and the like. It is typically labeled a "comedy" which is just sick and twisted in my opinion, it is NOT a comedy. It is a great movie with a wonderful soundtrack.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120321/

My husband really likes Black Robe. Again, not a movie to watch with children since there is a sex scene in it. The sex scene is important in that it shows the jarring nature of two cultures colliding but would be too complicated to explain to children very well. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101465/

To Kill a Mockingbird- hands down a favorite movie of everyone in our household. My kids beg to watch it. Complicated race issues are covered in wonderful way and opens the door to further discussion. Love and respect are key issues in the story and it would be easy to bring many spiritual elements into the discussion of the movie. I also recommend the book, but not to read to children.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056592/

Personally I would read thru the LOTR books before I show the kids the movies. That is what we do with the Narnia books/movies. Then I can tell what is coming up in the story so that if there is a scary part i can fast forward or cover young eyes.

That said all three of my kids have seen all three LOTR movies and they are much younger than yours; 7, 3 and (in-a-month)2.

I really like the Liam Neeson version of Les Miserables but that is not a movie to watch with children since a major plot point at the beginning involves a rather tragic (and complicated to explain to children) death. The death is absolutely essential to the understanding of the story so to leave that part out is a extreme disservice to the story. This is a great book and movie that touches on forgiveness in particular.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119683/

I enjoy Smoke Signals a great deal. There is a lot to glean from it about family relationships, forgiveness, bitterness and the like. It is typically labeled a "comedy" which is just sick and twisted in my opinion, it is NOT a comedy. It is a great movie with a wonderful soundtrack.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120321/

My husband really likes Black Robe. Again, not a movie to watch with children since there is a sex scene in it. The sex scene is important in that it shows the jarring nature of two cultures colliding but would be too complicated to explain to children very well. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101465/

To Kill a Mockingbird- hands down a favorite movie of everyone in our household. My kids beg to watch it. Complicated race issues are covered in wonderful way and opens the door to further discussion. Love and respect are key issues in the story and it would be easy to bring many spiritual elements into the discussion of the movie. I also recommend the book, but not to read to children.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056592/

Thanks Quinalt. I really need to see "Shoes of the Fisherman," especially since Anthony Quinn is my favorite actor! I loved "Barrabas," which also starred Anthony Quinn.

I too really liked "Les Miserables" with Liam Neeson. A great movie full of the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and self-sacrifice.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is another excellent movie. One of Robert Duvall's early roles was in this movie. Wait a minute, now I think Robert Duvall is my favorite actor! Anyway, Duvall and Quinn are at the top of my list for sure.

I like your taste Quinalt. So tell me more about "Smoke Signals" and "Black Robe." I'm unfamiliar with both of these, but they sound interesting.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

I'm not a fantasy guy, but many people love the Lord of the Rings movies. I'm sure there's some great Christian allegory much like the Narnia movies. I have watched the two recent Narnia movies with my children, and they really love them. And I also enjoyed watching them along with my kids. So my question is this: Do you think that the Lord of the Rings would be good to watch with my children? They are ages 11, 9, and 4, and very bright kids. Is the movie appropriate as far as language/sexuality and such? Will it be over their heads (maybe my 4 year old), or do you think they will understand it. I would like your opinion, and I would be interested in watching it myself if I could do so with my kids.

Thanks.

Selam

Althoug the work is not a strict allegory (Tolkien hated Allegory), Tolkien did say that it was a Catholic work and the Christian themes are very clear. As for your your children watching it, I think that I would probably not show it to the four year old and maybe not the nine year old. Although there is absolutely NO sex or cursing in the movie, it can be very violent at times and has some frightening images of evil characters.

Logged

You are right. I apologize for having sacked Constantinople. I really need to stop doing that.

-Boromir's wrestling with himself, and only understanding the nature of life until he repented (he literally fell flat, and then was brought to his senses). From then he understood it was better for him to give of himself, than to take from others.

I really like the fact that in the movie it is the King, Aragorn, who rehabilitiates Boromir. Much like our Saviour.

Logged

You are right. I apologize for having sacked Constantinople. I really need to stop doing that.

Troparion - Tone 1:O Sebastian, spurning the assemblies of the wicked,You gathered the wise martyrs Who with you cast down the enemy; And standing worthily before the throne of God, You gladden those who cry to you:Glory to him who has strengthened you! Glory to him who has granted you a crown!

Well, you should take my recommendations of Black Robe and Smoke Signals with a grain of salt since I have a personal connection with them to some extent so to speak. Most movies with indians in them are far from accurate. (or the "indians" aren't indians at all) We indians are not noble savages, savages or anything like those two categories. I enjoy these movies for the stories that they portray. They are both sad stories that have some hope. Smoke Signals in particular deals with the identity of being indian in a white society and how jarring it is to leave the rez. There is also the issue of masculinity and how the sins of the father can be visited on the son. Sometimes trying your hardest NOT to be like your parents backfires so completely that you fall into the same traps. The issue of forgiveness is paramount and domestic violence as well as loosing your parents at an early age are addressed. It is a subtle story in that the real "meat" of the story isn't readily apparent and it warrants multiple viewings to really get the story. I wouldn't call it a bad movie to watch with children, we watch it with ours. There isn't any sex, violence or much bad language to speak of. But the story is one that is extremely intense and will strike a child moreso than an adult in my experience. It is a wonderful movie and ends up making me cry everytime. Even my husband ends up crying each time at the ending scene. The music (and lyrics) are absolutely essential to the story and the soundtrack can stand alone easily. You can't find many movies where if you listen to the soundtrack alone you can get the jist of the story-Smoke Signals is one of those movies (so is Wall-E as an aside). There is plenty of humor in the story and that is likely why it ends up being labeled a comedy. You need to know that Sherman Alexie is a gifted writer and speaker and can make you laugh a great deal. But what you are laughing at isn't actually all that funny when it comes down to is. The lead actor (father character to those of you that have seen the movie) looks almost exactly like my biological father and in some ways the story paralells my own life. It is a loose comparison and one that many indians can relate to but it is there; domestic violence and abuse are rampant on indian reservations. Alexie's other movie "The business of Fancydancing" is absolute trash so just avoid it. He has an obvious agenda and pushes it way too hard, so much so that the movie itself is fairly forgettable.

My husband's love of Black Robe is his own. He can see many things in it and we have had quite a few discussions about it but they all fail me at the moment (pregnancy brain is on the fritz). And as he is VERY far away I can't ask him to delve into it all that much for you. I would suggest you rent it if you can (many public libraries will have it) and see what you think. It could be that what we see from our cultural perspective is something you won't be able to see from yours. And trying to give you that perspective is virtually impossible. I do enjoy the movie a great deal. But he has it with him in Afghanistan and I haven't watched it in quite awhile. (he has Smoke Signals as well actually)

LOTR is pretty good, I must admit. But my favorite movie(s) with a spiritual component are the original Star Wars Trilogy. I doubt George Lucas is Orthodox (never read anything about him actually) but I picked up a spiritual tone that seemed of a kind a Greek would thread into his movies' story.

agreed. stars wars came out when i was 10, and it's one of the few influences in my youth that helped me differentiate between right/wrong, good/bad. having no role models per se.probably even one of the thing's that kept me from slipping all the way to the dark side so to speak. and allowed me to find my way home.

Logged

Even satan himself can appear as an Angel of the Lord, and do good works in His name, to distract you from the path of True Righteousness

Ever notice that just like there is no age limit on stupidity, there is no IQ limit either? kind of explains a lot huh?

Well, you should take my recommendations of Black Robe and Smoke Signals with a grain of salt since I have a personal connection with them to some extent so to speak. Most movies with indians in them are far from accurate. (or the "indians" aren't indians at all) We indians are not noble savages, savages or anything like those two categories. I enjoy these movies for the stories that they portray. They are both sad stories that have some hope. Smoke Signals in particular deals with the identity of being indian in a white society and how jarring it is to leave the rez. It is a subtle story in that regard and warrants multiple viewings to really get the story. The music (and lyrics) are absolutely essential to the story and the soundtrack can stand alone easily. You can't find many movies where if you listen to the soundtrack alone you can get the jist of the story-Smoke Signals is one of those movies (so is Wall-E as an aside). There is plenty of humor in the story and that is likely why it ends up being labeled a comedy. You need to know that Sherman Alexie is a gifted writer and speaker and can make you laugh a great deal. But what you are laughing at isn't actually all that funny when it comes down to is. The lead actor (father character to those of you that have seen the movie) looks almost exactly like my biological father and in some ways the story paralells my own life. It is a loose comparison and one that many indians can relate to but it is there. Alexie's other movie "The business of Fancydancing" is absolute trash so just avoid it. He has an obvious agenda and pushes it way too hard, so much so that the movie itself is fairly forgettable.

My husband's love of Black Robe is his own. He can see many things in it and we have had quite a few discussions about it but they all fail me at the moment (pregnancy brain is on the fritz). And as he is VERY far away I can't ask him to delve into it all that much for you. I would suggest you rent it if you can (many public libraries will have it) and see what you think. It could be that what we see from our cultural perspective is something you won't be able to see from yours. And trying to give you that perspective is virtually impossible. I do enjoy the movie a great deal. But he has it with him in Afghanistan and I haven't watched it in quite awhile.

Wow. Thanks for sharing that. It reminds me that one of my favorite movies of all time is "Dancing With Wolves." I would be interested to know what an Indian/Native American thinks of that movie. I'm not a Kevin Costner fan, but "Dancing With Wolves" brings me to tears every time I see it.

By the way, maybe you help those of us who struggle with political correctness. Is it preferable to use the term "Indian" or "Native American." I use the term "Native American" because I've heard that this is more culturally sensitive, but I notice that you easily use the term "Indian." Perhaps you can help us so that we do not cause any offense.

As for another movie, I have wondered if "Windtalkers" (I think that's the name of the movie) is any good. Have you seen it? Would you recommend it?

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

Windtalkers is pretty darn good but it falls short of the actual real life stories it is gleaned from. I would pick up the books on the real Navajo Codetalkers instead. Although the way that these brave men were treated was horrible, the US military by utilizing them brought their language back from extinction.http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/

As far as how to address referring to indians goes- it is really up in the air. Some people are really picky about it, others are not. I call myself indigenous indian because I am from tribes that are in my immediate geographic area that I live in. If I lived in another area farther from here then I would have to come up with something else! Don't get to caught up in being PC, just don't use a racial slur like "red skin" or "rez rat" and you will be fine There are people that are very picky about it but if you come with a kind heart they will kindly correct you.

And while I think that the movie dances with wolves has beautiful cinematography and is an interesting story to some extent, it is not in any way an accurate portrayal of Lakota, Pawnee or really any indian tribe. Here is a pretty interesting article on both Dances with Wolves and Smoke Signals;

The plot device of having a white woman captive available as interpreter and potential wife for the white protagonist is another rather conventional feature, which links this movie to an old Hollywood tradition. An integration of Dunbar into the Sioux tribe to the extent of miscegenation was seemingly still too daring for Hollywood in 1990. (This does not even materialize in the ‘blood-brothers’-theme in the Winnetou series, in which, in good old Hollywood tradition, Winnetou’s sister Nscho-tschi has to die before she can marry Old Shatterhand.) Clearly, the film is not primarily about Native Americans, but about a white man’s spiritual journey at the end of which he is initiated into being a new, a different, an Indian man. Indeed, although Dunbar has only recently achieved the status of a Sioux warrior, the whole tribe soon depends on him as skillful buffalo hunter and as the most efficient fighter against the hostile Pawnee. In addition, immediately after his first buffalo hunt he turns into a storyteller to whom the whole tribe listens as some sort of celebrity, if not as a leader. Thus, as Shari Huhndorf points out, Dances With Wolves “actually reinforces the racial hierarchies it claims to destabilize, and it thus serves another primary function of going native. Although the film manifests some sympathy toward Indians, its primary cultural work in fact is the regeneration of racial whiteness and European-American society”

Windtalkers is pretty darn good but it falls short of the actual real life stories it is gleaned from. I would pick up the books on the real Navajo Codetalkers instead. Although the way that these brave men were treated was horrible, the US military by utilizing them brought their language back from extinction.http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/

As far as how to address referring to indians goes- it is really up in the air. Some people are really picky about it, others are not. I call myself indigenous indian because I am from tribes that are in my immediate geographic area that I live in. If I lived in another area farther from here then I would have to come up with something else! Don't get to caught up in being PC, just don't use a racial slur like "red skin" or "rez rat" and you will be fine There are people that are very picky about it but if you come with a kind heart they will kindly correct you.

Cool. Thanks for clarifying that.

The treatment of Native Americans by this country is sickening to me. It breaks my heart and angers me to see how our government has ostensibly made reparations to the Native Americans by providing them with casinos.

A few years back I was driving across Navajo Nation and was saddened to see such a beautiful landscape inhabited by a culturally decimated people.

But there are certainly hopeful notes to focus upon. A friend of mine wrote a wonderful book about the Hopi Indians of the Grand Canyon. It is called "The Beauty Path." It's not Orthodox, but it is very spiritually uplifting and focuses on certain Native American communities that are fighting to preserve their culture and heritage in a positive and peaceful way. I think you would enjoy it. Here's a link to it for those that may be interested:

And while I think that the movie dances with wolves has beautiful cinematography and is an interesting story to some extent, it is not in any way an accurate portrayal of Lakota, Pawnee or really any indian tribe. Here is a pretty interesting article on both Dances with Wolves and Smoke Signals;

The plot device of having a white woman captive available as interpreter and potential wife for the white protagonist is another rather conventional feature, which links this movie to an old Hollywood tradition. An integration of Dunbar into the Sioux tribe to the extent of miscegenation was seemingly still too daring for Hollywood in 1990. (This does not even materialize in the ‘blood-brothers’-theme in the Winnetou series, in which, in good old Hollywood tradition, Winnetou’s sister Nscho-tschi has to die before she can marry Old Shatterhand.) Clearly, the film is not primarily about Native Americans, but about a white man’s spiritual journey at the end of which he is initiated into being a new, a different, an Indian man. Indeed, although Dunbar has only recently achieved the status of a Sioux warrior, the whole tribe soon depends on him as skillful buffalo hunter and as the most efficient fighter against the hostile Pawnee. In addition, immediately after his first buffalo hunt he turns into a storyteller to whom the whole tribe listens as some sort of celebrity, if not as a leader. Thus, as Shari Huhndorf points out, Dances With Wolves “actually reinforces the racial hierarchies it claims to destabilize, and it thus serves another primary function of going native. Although the film manifests some sympathy toward Indians, its primary cultural work in fact is the regeneration of racial whiteness and European-American society”

I agree with the above assessment. It reminds me of "Cry Freedom" which was a film ostensibly about Steve Biko (portrayed by Denzel Washington), the South African freedom fighter. But the movie unfortunately winds up portraying the white journalist (played by Kevin Kline) as the real hero. But I still love this movie.

Both "Dancing With Wolves" and "Cry Freedom" are entertaining and important movies that draw attention to important cultural and racial issues, but unfortunately the 'white man' is still the protagonist. For those who are truly conscious about such issues, these are good movies to watch. But unfortunately, most people are not discerning enough to see through the underlying racism that permeates "liberal" Hollywood even to this day.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

Black Robe is very good, but a more spiritually significant alternative is The Mission. It is about Jesuits in 18th-century South America---it has a wonderful cast, including Jeremy Irons, Robert DeNiro, Aidan Quinn and Liam Neeson. It also has the best depiction of penance I have ever seen in a film (I'm not kidding---wait till you see it). No sex in this one, though there is some battle violence (nothing graphic; the movie's only PG!).

One of my favorite films period is A Man for All Seasons, about St. Thomas More. It'll probably go over the 4-year-old's head, but definitely would be a great choice for the older kids (especially if they are bright---the brilliant screenplay has great dialogue).

-Boromir's wrestling with himself, and only understanding the nature of life until he repented (he literally fell flat, and then was brought to his senses). From then he understood it was better for him to give of himself, than to take from others.

I really like the fact that in the movie it is the King, Aragorn, who rehabilitiates Boromir. Much like our Saviour.

I also like the fact that, at least in the books, Aragorn never revealed to Legolas and Gimli what Boromir confessed to him in his dying moments, even though they kinda suspected that Boromir was somehow responsible for driving Frodo away from the Fellowship. Very much like a sacramental confession, in a way.

Black Robe is very good, but a more spiritually significant alternative is The Mission. It is about Jesuits in 18th-century South America---it has a wonderful cast, including Jeremy Irons, Robert DeNiro, Aidan Quinn and Liam Neeson. It also has the best depiction of penance I have ever seen in a film (I'm not kidding---wait till you see it). No sex in this one, though there is some battle violence (nothing graphic; the movie's only PG!).

One of my favorite films period is A Man for All Seasons, about St. Thomas More. It'll probably go over the 4-year-old's head, but definitely would be a great choice for the older kids (especially if they are bright---the brilliant screenplay has great dialogue).

Yes, these are two great movies. Thanks for bringing them up.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" was very scary and well done. Based on a true story, it raises a perplexing theological question: Would God allow one of His faithful children to be possessed by demons in order that people might become aware of the reality of the spiritual world?

We know the story of Job, whom satan was allowed to torment. And we know that St. Paul wrestled with a "thorn in his flesh" throughout his Christian life. But would God actually allow one of His baptized and obedient children to be possessed by satan or by demons? Personally I don't think so, since I don't believe that the Holy Spirit could dwell in the same house as satan. But I could be wrong. The movie is obviously based on Catholic belief. What does Orthodox opinion say about the matter?

But it's certainly a very intriguing and frighteneing movie.

Selam

« Last Edit: April 26, 2009, 05:55:14 PM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

This is really an incredible movie, about a Hasidic jewish couple who are unable to have children. It takes place over the holiday of Sukkot and they receive some ex-convicts as guests (ushpizin). These men are quite wild and irreligious and cause the couple considerable grief, but they entertain them anyhow. In the end, their fervent prayers for children are rewarded and the couple is blessed. An amazing film, all about faith and hope. I loved it so much, and highly recommend it to everyone!

This is really an incredible movie, about a Hasidic jewish couple who are unable to have children. It takes place over the holiday of Sukkot and they receive some ex-convicts as guests (ushpizin). These men are quite wild and irreligious and cause the couple considerable grief, but they entertain them anyhow. In the end, their fervent prayers for children are rewarded and the couple is blessed. An amazing film, all about faith and hope. I loved it so much, and highly recommend it to everyone!

Sounds good. Is it in English?

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+

It's been a little while since I watched it, so I can hardly remember. I think it was in hebrew with english subtitles, if I'm not mistaken. It's an Israeli film. Anyhow, the movie was very touching and the themes are applicable for christians too. I hope you will watch it too sometime!

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

I didn't care for "Signs" too much. Haven't seen these others you mentioned.

But as for movies dealing with the UFO phenomena, I liked "Fire In The Sky." The movie is based on the true life stroy of Travis Walton who was supposedly abducted by aliens. This movie really freaked me out!

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+